Dealer sues Jim Brown in NFL title ring dispute

Associated Press Published: August 16, 2014 4:00 AM

NEW YORK -- A memorabilia dealer has counter-sued Hall of Fame football star Jim Brown for $1 million in a dispute over his 1964 NFL championship ring.

Brown filed a lawsuit in New York against Lelands.com and Leland's Collectibles Inc. The lawsuit said the ring was stolen from Brown's Cleveland home in the late 1960s and sought to block Lelands' sale.

The counter-suit filed by Leland's on Friday says Brown's ex-wife became the owner of the ring after their divorce and sold it to a collector in the 1980s. It says the ring changed hands several times before Lelands bought it in May.

Lelands says Brown's lawsuit diminished the value of the ring and forced the dealer to pull it out of an online auction.